Welcome to my blog and thanks soso much for spending a little while peeping into my world

... all from my little home studio in Durban, on the east coast of sunny South Africa!

"I used to think that anyone doing anything weird was weird. I suddenly realized that anyone doing anything weird wasn't weird at all and it was the people saying they were weird that were weird." -- Paul McCartney

Monday, January 31, 2011

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

"YOUR CHOICE"

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

*Our MMSC89 weekly Bonus sponsor is.....
My name is Janet and i am a Stampin' Up Demo. I have just recently joined Stampin' Up again after a few years off. Stampin' Up products are high quality and long lasting. I love their paper, embellishments and ink pads.

The prize will be the following: Stamp sets: Summer Fun, Game On, One of Those Days, Wade E. Bug, Coffee Cool, Simply Special, What's Up Pussy Cat and Snuggle Bunny (this set is not in the picture). I will also include 4 spools of American Arts ribbon and 5 digi images of their choice.

Wow what a great prize..thank you Heather.

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Here is this week's Sketch again ...

And this is the card I made ...

... and here is how I created my card ...
IMAGE : Paper Pretties
COLOURING MEDIUM : various coloured pencils and OMS
CHERRY BLOSSOM BP : I made my own using Indian Ink blown with a straw, and then I sewed on the "cherry blossoms" using sequins and beads
TURQUOISE BATIK BP - store bought yonks ago - this was an offcut
DIE CUT - using a Marianne Designs die (my NEW one!)
THE REST - from my stash

This ws a fabulous sketch to work with, and suited the image perfectly.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Today sees the start of a new challenge on Nettie G's challenge blog, and the introduction of new member on their design team. Congratulations, Laura, I will soon be off to check out your blog.

Last year, Nettie G designed a Christmas Tree image, which she named Christmas Sewing Tree, which, as you well know, is just up my street. I entered the challenge and won, for which I really greatful! This is the card that I entered :

And then imagine my surprise when last week Nettie and Chris (one of her DT ladies) requested that I be their Guest Designer for the next two weeks, and the image that they wanted me to work with was one that was designed with ME in mind. Now how could I refuse an honour like that?

And what a beautiful image it is too .... here is the card made with "JenLee's Sewing Heart" I printed the image on a linen weave cardstock as it isn't smooth, but the texture of fine linen. I coloured with my regular and watercolour pencils and OMS, using my own technique which gives almost flawless blending.

All the embellishments are sewn on, including the flower, ribbon and gold braid. I am very pleased with the outcome, and the way the colouring picked up the texture of the board.

Here are some handy links for you...

I would love it if you popped over to the Challenge Blog at Nettie G's and entered as well. I am sure the prize is well worth it, as Nettie's images are just great.

Monday, January 24, 2011

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

"YOUR CHOICE"

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

*Our MMSC88 weekly Bonus sponsor is.....

http://www.thebearyscrap.comThe Beary Scrap is an online scrapbooking boutique carrying a little bit of everything for all types of paper crafters at 20% off retail pricing every day! Their stock includes gorgeous papers and embellishments by top manufacturers like Graphic 45, Bo Bunny, My Mind's Eye, and Echo Park. They carry gorgeous German Glass Glitter, Copic markers and Magnolia stamps as well as custom made mulberry papers and unique tear bear patterns. You are sure to find something "beary sweet" for your next project. Go to visit their design team blog for loads of fun inspiration and twice-monthly challenges!

I used two images for the Priscillastyle store, namely Victorian Tea Pot and Victorian Tea Cup, which, along with other fabulous vintage images, are available in the Priscillastyles store. (see the end of this post for some handy links)

I coloured the images using my various coloured pencils and OMS, and each one was individually cut out. They are layered on various embossed papers, the first being a ochre coloured embossed card, which I antiqued using Lindy's Moon Shadow Mist in the colour Pegleg Pete's Purple. Can you see how authentic it looks in the picture above?
Th other mat was black paper embossed with velvet swirls - which I gave a good going-over with Lindy's Starburst Spray, in colour French Lilac Violet, and if you look carefully below, you will see that the velvet swirls did not pick up the colour, but the background did, with amazing effects. The heart shaped beads, which I sewed on, were also coloured with the Starburst Spray, as was the embossed background paper, which began its life as moss green.

I just love the look of this card, and how really vintage it looks. I have never made a truly vintage card before, and am truly proud of my creation.

If you would like to purchase beautiful images (not all of them are vintage) you need to go to the priscillastyles sote by clicking HERE.
If you would like to enter the MMSC#88, and stand the chance of winning some really fabulous prizes, click HERE.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Team One's turn to host the challenge over at Pattie's Creations Design Challenges this week, and the brief is to use black, white and one other colour only.

I will enter my card but won't be eligible for any prizes, but the fun is in the playing, not the winning for me.

This is the card I made :

SO I don't need to tell you that the plus one colour on my creation is pink. The image, "Baby Mine", is from Pattie's Etsy Store, and was coloured using my coloured pencils and OMS. The little flower sequins and heart beads were sewn on to the layers of unlabeled (probably thrift store) papers, and an oval, made from a Nellie's Choice Die.

IF you would like the chance to win a voucher to purchase some of Pattie's images (and she has some really great new ones in her store!) check out the handy links below.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

We, the Design Team members, have created cards for your inspiration : You need to 'scrtaplift' something from one of the cards, whether it be a theme, sketch, colours, ... whatever inspriation you get .... run with it~! Now isn't that a lovely challenge (and not too difficult is it?)

For my card, I have used an image from the Digistamps4Joy store called "I AM a girl!" This little digi is nothing to look at in black and white lines, in fact her eyes look a little bizarre, but one she is coloured up she is just too cute!

I have used a pink and brown colour theme as I would like to use her as an entry into a colour challenge over on The Outlawz (have you joined up there yet?)

But I wanted to add in lots of elements for you to scraplift- polka dots- stripes- denim- flowers- pink and brown- chocolate

So here are a few handy links that you may find useful ...

To hop on over to the Digistamps 4 Joy store ... HERETo hop on over to the Digistamps 4 Joy challenge Blog ... HERETo hop on over to The Outlawz challengeS ... HERE

Firstly I adapted the card I made in the Heart Pocket Class on CDAC, and had the fabulous image, Heart Tree, from the Priscillastyles store here on the outside of the heart, and so that it could be split down the middle.

.........the heart doors open up to reveal the sentiment by Kahlil Gibran.

And here is what I did to create this card ...

- The image, once coloured and cut into a heart shape with two tabs on the outer edges, was inked around the edges- The inside heart was also inked around the edges once the sentiment had been printed on it- The embossed backgrounds were also inked- I added a string of flatback pearls, two blingy pink flower gems and a white organza ribbon tied into a bow- The whole kaboodle was added to a matt black background.

and here's a thought ... If your craft-related company would like some extra exposure by sponsoring a prize for one of the weekly challenges, I would love to hear from you ..... please leave a note for me here and I will get right back to you.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I have taken part in one of these challenges from Whimsie Doodles before, so I thought I would give it a go as the theme is BOYS WILL BE BOYS , and I immediately thought of the super cute image I had from A Day for Daisies, called "Boy's Best Friend".

I coloured the image using my trusted coloured pencils and as the image was so whimsical I felt it didn't need too many fussy bp's or embellishments - I think my plain and simple card has come out just fabulously.

Here are some handy links ...

Click here for the A Day for Daisies StoreClick here for the Challenge BlogClick here to join A day for Daisies on CDACClick here to join A Day for Daisies on PCPClick here to join A Day for Daisies on SSC

It's me again with another NEW challenge site I was introduced to .. called Colour Q

There is a challenge on the go at the moment, where they call for the followin delicious colours to be used:

and for my entry into this challenge, I used an image from my favourite artist, Tammy, from A DAY FOR DAISIES. The image is called "Mumm Fairy" and I coloured her using my regular coloured pencils in a technique I developed myself, using OMS. Tammy's images are fabulous, and you will find this one and a great many more ones here in her shop HERE

A few sequins and beads have been sewn on (how could I NOT do that!) and I made the card according to the sketch challenge over at "The Outlawz"

Why not follow the links, and see what those challenges are all about ... and enter too?

Here is a list of handy links

Click here for the A Day for Daisies StoreClick here for the Challenge BlogClick here to join A day for Daisies on CDACClick here to join A Day for Daisies on PCPClick here to join A Day for Daisies on SSC

Monday, January 10, 2011

Now isn't this exciting? A brand new group on CDAC and PCP, called Digi's by Phooka, has their very first challenge on the go at the moment!

The theme for the challenge is a real easy one - ANYTHING GOES!

As one of the very first Design Team, I got the honour of showing you here, the card I made as inspiration for you, for this challenge. I have comgined two images, one of a shopping bag and one of a monkey, both of which are available in the store here. to make a really cute Bon Voyage card, don't you think?

There are lovely prizes that could be won if you enter this challenge. Myriam, the talented artist, has such cute images available in her store for you to use on your cards. click here to hop on over there, and who knows, you might even find a freebie there too!

If you would like to take part in the challenge, click here, where you will be able to find out all the details...

Sunday, January 9, 2011

As a Design Team member of A DAY FOR DAISIES I get a first view of the fabulous new releases every week - how cool is that. Last week's releases were ballerinas - the most elegant in this theme I have ever seen!

Here is a card I made with one of the sitting ballerina, coloured in deliciously warm colours, almost autumn-like, but more fiery and hot!

To colour her I used Copic Ciao Pinkish White R00, and Warm Grey W-1 for the shadows. The rest of the image has been coloured using my regular coloured pencils and OMS, in a technique I developed myself. This colouring technique is the one that I will be workshopping at in2crafts@Hobbyex in Johannesburg in March.

I just love the way the dramatic colours of this image contrast with the softness of the image!

I intend entering this card into the Challenge #1 on the Make it Colourful blog, where the brief is to use all hot or all cold colours. There are some Copics prizes to be won ... and wouldn't I just LOVE those!!!

Our challenge for this latest digi day at Some Odd Girl was to create a Valentine's card WITHOUT using the traditional colours of red and pink.

This is what I created ...

I used the image called "Cold Kaylee", available in the Some Odd Girl shop and coloured her in greens and oranges, using my regular coloured pencils and OMS. The image was cut out and matted on an oval cut from a Nellie's Choice die.

The sentiment is one I created myself, and which I think fits this image perfectly, to adapt it to a Valentine's Day card.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Yip, it's Friday again, and time for Tammy's new releases at A DAY FOR DAISIES.

This week we have had the most BEAUTIFUL ballet images to showcase, and this is one of the cards I made with a sitting ballerina ...

This, and a host of other beautiful, related images will soon be available in the shop .... and there is a $2 bonus buy for you too - you'll love that one! (there are some handy links at the bottom of this post for you to use)

The image was coloured using regular coloured pencils, neon coloured pencils and OMS, in my special technique, and some beads and sequins have been stitched directly onto the card, using invisible thread.

The image was cut out on a Nellies Choice Oval die and a spray of roses and a lush pink organza bow added. The background papers are all off cuts from my "too nice to throw out" box, and the silver corners are stick-ons.

Then, as a bonus, there is a new challenge on the blog ...

Theme: "A fresh coat of paint" A new year and a clean slate, lets give our cards a fresh coat of paint! Get away from last years colored pencils and markers and dip our brushes into wet, fabulous, paint! Try something new!..............and this is the card I made ...

I coloured my ADFD imge using four different shades of brown and bronze eye shadows, using a cotton bud (Q-tip)! Isn't it fabulous! And then, because I love the bronw and turquoise color combination and don't often get to use it, I added blue embellishments like the beads, and ribbon etc.! I think i will try this technique some more, using different colour eye shadows, to experiment what the outcome will be.

If you would like to try "a fresh coat of paint" and to take part in the challenge ... please to jump over to the challenge blog, where you can get more details. (there are some handy links at the bottom of this post for you to use)

I would love to see how you interpret the challenge... and I challenge you to try it - I won't even mind if you try my idea of using eye shadows .. it's not that difficult to do and the blending of colours is a cinch!

here are some handy links for you ...

Click here for the A Day for Daisies StoreClick here for the Challenge BlogClick here to join A day for Daisies on CDACClick here to join A Day for Daisies on PCPClick here to join A Day for Daisies on SSC

PS ... this won't be my last post for the day ... come back to my blog to find out more exciting details about a BLOG HOP!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

That's right ... It's Party Time at *Wink *Wink Ink! Melanie is so excited to celebrate the store's FIRST BIRTHDAY and would LOVE to have you join in the month long celebration!

ONE LUCKY WINNER will be chosen for the grand prize of $25.00 worth of stamps! Click on the Party badge on the right of my blog and follow the Easy, Peasy Instructions ... you don't even have to make a card to qualify! AND ... please stop back often ... there just might be MORE BIRTHDAY PARTY FUN in store for you throughout the month.

WAIT ... MORE EXCITING NEWS!!

Wink Wink Ink has a BRAND NEW WEBSITE ?? It is AWESOME! Melanie has been working day & night getting everything in place for the big Birthday Bash and Website Reveal! Well, it's a new year and she is ready to WOW YOU!!

The homepage has been revamped with TABS for easier maneuvering throughout the site and the SHOP has been redone to make it not only easier for you to find that cute, little digi you had your eye on ... but now there are SAMPLES to help inspire you as well! You REALLY MUST take a peek at all the renovations! They are AMAZING and YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THEM!!!

Click here to hop on over to the store to check out the fabulous images on offer.

Oh yes - there is a fabulous birthday set there too ...In honor of their first Birthday the BIRTHDAY NECESSITIES SET is on sale for just $4 through the month of January! This is a huge set! The images as well as the numbers in this set come in pre-colored versions. Each number is a separate file as well. The cake is also great on Wedding cards! It includes all that you see here:

But that's not all ... there is a special announcement (that's still a secret, I believe) to be made in the Wink Wink Ink group on CDAC within the next day or two - so you'll want to be a member there too, just to be sure you don't miss out!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

My wish for you is that your mojo will stay healthy all year round, bring you a wealth of inspiration, and that it will keep you happy all the time!

You are here because you are participating in Patties Creations New Year Blog Hop, and because you are here, you are eligible for the random draw prize! All you need to do is leave a comment for me, and you could be the winner!

As you will have noticed, Pattie's DT members have all made cards using the champagne glasses image, and this is my creation. As usual I have sewn on some sequins and beads, and the colours I have used I think reflects the bright and cheery New Year of my dreams (not that's it's been that so far, but that's another whole new blog post altogether!)

So my message to you "ALWAYS LOOK ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE!"

If you are hopping in order, you will have come here by way of Theresa's blog. and the next hop from here will be Cloetoa's blog.

Remember to leave a comment below, before hop on to the next blog .... I have a little surprise package for ONE lucky person that leaves me a comment .... I'm not saying what, but watch this blog to see who it is ...

and the winner is................ CLAUDINE POCH ... a surprise package of cardmaking goodies will be coming your way just as soon as you email your postal address to jen@jencraft.co.za. Thanks for taking part in our Blog Hop.

There is a new challenge that has started today at DIGISTAMPS FOR JOY, and the theme is BUTTON UP.

My DT inspiration card for the challenge is one using a DS4J image that I created for the store, called My BF 4 EVA. It is available here, along with many other of my (and the other talented artists') images.

I coloured the image using my trusted coloured pencils and OMS, and added a spray of flowers, with the BUTTONS nestled amongst the flowers.As background papers go, a couple of pink offcuts, and my last sheet of denim print cardstock. I used a glass pebble, with the word LOVE engraved on it as the embellishment.

Now you have seen my card, hop on over to the challenge blog, check out all the other awesome T cards, and you should be well-inspired to create your own masterpiece to enter into the challenge. There are great prizes to be won!

I am so excited to be a part of the Midnight Madness Design Team and would like to encourage you all to take part every week as there are some wonderful prizes to be won!And, as the Weekly Prize, this is what you can win ... from ...

At the Craftbrulee website you will find a lot of the things you can use to create wonderful projects - The store is new so it will take a while to fully stock with all the wonderful goodies that you will need to create -they will be stocking handmade items and rubber stamps, kits as well as finished projects and cards. If you do not see what you are looking for or would like place an order please get in touch with Jennifer. Please check back often because new stock will be added daily.

Lindy's Stamp Gang is a home-based family business. Created by Lindy Plakinger in 1995 to have an outlet for all the fabulous cartoons running around in her mind. Lindy's Stamp Gang has grown to encompass so much more! In late 1998 she created the first sprays to color your stamping and scrapbooking world. These products have grown to encompass hundreds of colors, have inspired similar spray products and have become her signature with their deep rich color and generous shimmer!

Thank you so much for this AWESOME PRIZE Tracey

So here it is .. my first DT card as a DT member ...

The image I have used is on from Nicecrane Designs, called "Reading Together" from the Babies in Italy collection that is available in his store here ...

Those two cute little girls have been coloured using my watercolour pencils and OMS and then layered onto various offcuts of thrift store scrapbooking paper. The little flowers are sequins that I have sewn directly onto the card, as have the little paper flowers. A luxurious pink satin bow has been added to emphasize the girliness of the card.

Please click here to go to the Midnight Madness Sktch Challenge for this week ... this is the sketch you need to follow when you create your card, and for more inspiration, you can check out the awesome inspiration cards the wonderfully talented DT have made.